Green Transportation in Gatineau Park – Consultation Phase One

In July of 2009 news broke that the National Capital Commission was thinking about car traffic in Gatineau Park.

Exactly what they were thinking isn’t clear, but they are thinking.

There are supposed to be 1.7 million visits to the Gatineau Park in a year and most of those are by car.

On the one hand Gatineau Park is supposed to be for all Canadians so 1.7 million doesn’t sound like all that many.

On the other hand Gatineau Park is supposed to have a conservation focus and all those cars tend to run over some of the wildlife and pump a cloud of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere.

The NCC is thinking of a Green Transportation Plan for Gatineau Park that will be a companion to such things as a Recreation Management Plan and a Cultural Heritage Conservation Plan; all of which are subordinate to both the Gatineau Park Master Plan and the Ecosystem Conservation Plan.

It sounds pretty bureaucratic and that’s probably why it isn’t getting much attention.

But 1.7 million visits means we love Gatineau Park, so when the NCC asks for input we should give it; and they’re asking for input on the future of transportation in the park.

The outcome might mean it’s harder to get into the park or it might change the emphasis between car users and park activities.

We don’t know what it will mean.

I’ve asked around and it seems that the National Capital Commission don’t know yet either.

They’ve got a two year plan to find out.

That CBC story in July made it sound like public transit might replace cars. One thing is sure; this exercise has an environmental emphasis.

The thing is called a GREEN Transportation plan and one of the objectives is to “assess the environmental impact of traffic in the Park.”

Over this winter they want to figure out what the traffic issues really are in the first place.

Next summer they’ll figure out some options to deal with those issues—they hope.

Then next winter they’ll chose the one they like best.

You’ll be able to give input at several stages along the way.

Until January 15 there’s an online survey open; it looks like there will be a public consultation session in the spring of 2010 and again in the fall.

I’ve taken the current online survey and here’s what you should expect:

• you’re asked where, when and how you use Gatineau Park;
• then whether you’ve had transportation problems and whether you have any suggestions for solutions to those problems;
• they gather a little demographic info and you can give them your email if you wish.

I’ve posted a copy of the specific questions they ask so you can think about your answers in advance if you want to.

Over the next few weeks we’ll be setting up discussion forum technology at GuideGatineau and posting some thoughts and potential solutions on the Green Transportation issue for you to add-to and expand-on.

If you have input right now you can comment below.